Sources: UR student died of heroin overdose

There are new developments in the death of a University of Rochester student. Several sources close to the investigation say the freshman died of a heroin overdose.

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Greece Post

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Posted Apr. 1, 2014 at 8:52 AM

Posted Apr. 1, 2014 at 8:52 AM

There are new developments in the death of a University of Rochester student. Several sources close to the investigation say the freshman died of a heroin overdose.

Police say 19-year-old Juliette Richard was found in her dorm room on campus Saturday afternoon. She was planning to major in microbiology.

Students at the University of Rochester say they were shocked to hear heroin could be on their campus. However, addiction specialists are not surprised. They say college students are using heroin more and more.

Bob Lebman, President and CEO of Huther Doyle, say they are seeing heroin users start in their teens once their supply of pills runs out.

Lebman said, “Heroin is cheap. It is much cheaper than buying prescription pills.”

Lebman says it is becoming more prevalent on college campuses.

Lebman said, “A 2012 study from the National College Health Assessment, a national organization, says that 20% of college student reported they believed heroin was being used on their campus. Heroin helps people mellow out and zone out to what is going on around them. For many college students, that's a great escape.”

Several sources close to the investigation say Juliette Richard overdosed on heroin. The university says it won't comment until the medical examiner’s report is out. The medical examiner said to talk to the county.

The county said it wouldn't release the information.

Lebman said, “Heroin itself is difficult to overdose on, but the fact of the matter is dealers aren't selling pure heroin, they are cutting it with things that make it dangerous.”

Lebman says there are warning signs that parents need to know, like if their child becomes underweight and pale, a sudden increase in irritability, trouble remembering things and needle marks. He adds parents need to have a conversation about drugs with their children.

Lebman said, “Acknowledging it is out there, it is on college campuses. They need to talk about potential consequences life altering, life ending.”